rsm SMiLE is the first track of many coming, after taking some time off from releasing to slightly redirect the sound. My bandmate Frazer sent me a demo and I wrote the vocals pretty much all in one go, stream of consciousness style. The title made me think of how tiring it is to constantly worry about how your mood is coming across to other people, how I sometimes wish it came naturally to be ‘smiley’ all the time, though there shouldn’t be anything wrong with showing moods.
- How would you describe your sound?
I describe my sound as alternative rock infused with dream pop and grunge. I aspire to create something which has melodic, ‘feminine’ sensibilities on top of heavier, darker backdrops of full band energy.
- What do you write about?
I’m very inspired by books and culture in general. I’m so curious, I love collecting different ideas and concepts and applying them to a personal narrative that others can hopefully relate to.
For example, when working on this tune I was watching a lot of phenomenology lectures which is a philosophy of consciousness and interaction. It translated into this theme of being misinterpreted by others and struggling to externalise emotions.
- What do you listen to when you are home?
Right now, I’ve been listening to a lot of Gouge Away and Angel Du$t. I’ve recently discovered Dilly Dally as well which have insane vocals, you should check them out ! If I’m doing something mindless, I’ll put on a podcast or audiobook.
- Your favourite live performance so far?
That is the hardest interview question I’ve ever received, I kid you not. I might have to go with Nothing But Thieves in 2016, something about Conor’s vocals is entirely captivating. I’ve always admired his writing, the vulnerability and sheer technical power. You can tell they’re all having a good time too, grateful to be there. They already had that energy in that small tent stage and I could see it when I went to see their first London O2 Headline still.
- Tell us a funny story that happened in studio or on stage.
Probably just unlucky things like guitar strings breaking right before a show or the many embarrassing recordings when tracking vocals. When I get frustrated and scream or have an unfortunate mid-note voice crack, that sort of thing. I tend to space out and glitch a bit when I’m nervous. Funny in hindsight.
- Your favourite albums?
You see this is a slightly easier question because it’s plural ! The answer would likely change every time you asked the question but this very second I’m going to go with ‘The Great Dismal’ by Nothing, ‘Folklore’ by Taylor Swift and ‘Room on Fire’ by The Strokes. Let’s stop here.
- A musician you would like to meet for a beer?
Julian Casablancas !! He’s hilarious and does not give a single shit, but also cares way too much. I bet he’d have interesting ramblings to endlessly churn out if he was in the right mood, I wouldn’t have to talk much. I think it’s so cool how The Strokes pulled off this pristine tightrope between preppy-every-little-detail-worked-out togetherness whilst simultaneously looking effortless and smelly.
- What would you ask for backstage, if you were the most important band on earth?
Firstly, some absurdly fancy coffee. Maybe someone cool to do my makeup. It’s convenient the music is grungifying because all I know how to do is horribly smudged racoon eyeliner. Some fruit. Some plants!
- What are your plans for the near future?
We’ve got a lot of material in the works! I’m excited to keep writing and getting the music out. I think my vocal style has developed a lot this year and I’m having fun experimenting.
We’re also building up our live presence right now to gig more regularly around London. It’s quite easy to become disheartened at how much time the musical process can take but that’s just because so much goes into it. When you look at things objectively, it’s not slow at all, just long and subject to a multitude of influences.
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